Ergosterol

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Ergosterol

Ergosterol (pronunciation: er·go·ste·rol, /ˌɜːrɡəˈstɪərɒl/) is a sterol found in cell membranes of fungi and protozoa, serving many of the same functions that cholesterol serves in animal cells.

Etymology

The term "Ergosterol" is derived from the Greek words "ergon" meaning work and "sterol" which is a type of organic molecule. It was first isolated in 1927.

Function

Ergosterol is essential for the cellular functions of organisms within the fungi kingdom. It is the primary sterol in fungal cell membranes. In addition to providing structural integrity to the cell membrane, ergosterol makes the membrane more fluid and permeable, which is necessary for the function of proteins embedded in the membrane.

Synthesis

Ergosterol is synthesized from Acetyl-CoA through the mevalonate pathway, a metabolic pathway that produces sterols and other isoprenoids. This process involves several enzymes, including HMG-CoA reductase, which is a key regulatory enzyme in the pathway.

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